KIAMS Professor’s Transition from Business to Academia Benefits Students

Posted on: August 22, 2012

Professor Arvind N. Sinha is not afraid of change. The KIAMS professor made a transition from the corporate world to the academic environment of KIAMS and has never looked back. “I’ve always had an inclination for academics. It gives you the opportunity to share your experience with the younger generation as well as giving you the ability to keep pace with the evolving thought process of youth.”

His choice to pursue a professorship in management after spending time in science within the corporate world also seemed like a natural progression for Professor Sinha. “The choice of management was natural. There is a strong linkage. Sciences find their application through technology, and technology is brought to optimum utilisation by management. Understanding the sciences has helped me tremendously throughout my career, whether it is marketing electronic components, recruiting engineers or teaching financial management.”

Taking the values of integrity and hard work from the time that he spent in the business world, Professor Sinha believes that the opportunities for students in the field of CSR will continue to exist as the industry evolves. “The concept of CSR has expanded to sustainability. Though at the entry level there may not be many opportunities, as they progress up the corporate hierarchy, there may be plenty of opportunities in sustainability mapping, audit and reporting, CSR implementation, green capital, etc.”

In evaluating the qualities that make a good manager, Professor Sinha believes that there are three main components that a manager must possess. “The first is creativity. That is the ability to build a whole picture from the bits and pieces, i.e. to see and cast a vision. The second is integrity. The managers must be true to themselves and those they serve and to those who serve them. Last is ability. The manager must be able to deliver high performance.”

Professor Sinha, in looking back at where he’s come from towards where he is heading, also has advice for students who are thinking about moving into management. “The only way to do a great job is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. Further, I would like to quote Anita Moorjani: “In truth, I’m not my body, my race, religion or other beliefs, and neither is anyone else. The real self is infinite and much more powerful – a complete and whole entity that isn’t broken or damaged in any way. The infinite me already contains all the resources I need to navigate through life, because I’m one with universal energy. In fact, I am the universal energy.”